Just Breathe (photo credit: Grace Church)
Week #100 – Just…Breathe.
Greetings Happyness Tribe — and Happy Friday!
It’s August…and the weeks ahead are marked with “anniversaries.” As I look at my calendar, I’m reminded that these were the weeks where Rob’s health took rapid turns for the worse. ER visits, treatments, doctor’s appointments.
While the rest of the world was enjoying the season he loved so much, he was increasingly forced to stay inside and struggle for just…one…breath.
For me, the next few weeks…the end of August…will always be a profound reminder:
- A reminder to wring the very most I can out of life.
- A reminder to live it fully without apologies.
- A reminder to forget about what’s not important…and focus on what is.
- A reminder of how delicious life is…and how very temporary.
- A reminder of how precious each breath is…and how quickly it can be taken away.
- A reminder to just…breathe.
Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Just…Breathe. The busyness of September is just ahead of us! Some kids are already heading back to school. Don’t let these weeks slip by without stopping for a moment to just…breathe! Get outside…watch a sunset, listen to kids play, feel the breeze across your skin, relish a thunderstorm, gaze at a rainbow. There may be a day when you’ll miss all of this. Don’t miss it now!
“Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” (Henry David Thoreau)
Spread Happyness — Just breathe! And share your thoughts in the comments!
8/12/16 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com
Hi Chris,
As you know Chris died a year before Rob, almost to the day. We both have terrible memories of the months and days leading up to their death. I remember, after a visit with Chris, going to the car a praying. Not of her to live but, for God to take her home. He did leaving a hole in the lives of those few people who were honored to know her. I remember calling Jamie the morning Rob died to let him know I was changing the time I was going into the city to say ‘goodbye’ from Ms. Sommers. Two very different people both left us with memories…they will never be replaced although, so often when I am talking I can almost feel her presence reminding me of life’s truth. “Dollie, here we go again. Life is not fair, get over it.” That was one of her favorites when there was something unjust occurring in the world or in my life. She was patient, far more so than I am. She always said I was “rammy” and when I find myself getting flustered I can feel her words haunting me.
Both these special souls would only want for us the joy this life has to offer. I know that there will be changes in my life that will bring that joy back.
I miss them both in very different ways
September, a month that bids farewell to summer and welcomes in the fall….What a perfect time to leave..
Thanks for continuing to follow along, Anne — and for sharing your thoughts. Imagine how excited they might be for one more day. That is the task — to live fully each day, because they cannot! Joy comes from within. No need to wait — spread happyness today!
This has been a hard summer to just breathe in. Not looking forward to the next few weeks. Love u guys.
You keep breathing, Momma, and stay strong! You are surrounded by love!!!